The Crisis We Ignore: Government’s Failure to Address Mental Health and Education Amid Pandemic
**Excerpt:**
The pandemic has left Bangladesh’s youth in crisis, exposing the deep cracks in our mental health, education, and social welfare systems. Recent surveys reveal a disturbing reality: over 61% of young people suffer from depression, and school closures have led to an alarming rise in child marriages and dropouts. While youth struggle with mental health challenges and face family pressure to marry early, government action has been sparse. Our country’s future depends on its young people, yet they are being sidelined and abandoned. To secure a better future, the government must address mental health, strictly enforce child marriage laws, and launch educational recovery programs. For far too long, the voices of our youth have been ignored—it’s time we listen and act.
Bangladesh’s COVID-19 Economic Crisis: The Government’s Inadequate Response and Missed Opportunities
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deep flaws in Bangladesh’s economic response, leaving over **2.2 million people jobless** and driving the poverty rate from **9% to a staggering 30%**. Despite these alarming statistics, the government’s efforts have fallen short, especially in supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the economy. Bureaucratic red tape and limited access to financing have stifled these businesses, leading to closures and increased unemployment.
Furthermore, with Bangladesh set to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026, a lack of preparation could cost billions in export revenue. Comprehensive tax reform, a proactive monetary policy, and SME-focused support are essential to building a resilient economy. The government must act urgently and decisively to foster recovery and economic stability, rather than relying on short-term fixes that fall far short of addressing the country’s real needs.
A Mental Health Crisis Ignored: Government Failures During the Pandemic
Bangladesh faces a mental health crisis as 61.2% of young people report depression and 3.7% have attempted suicide during the pandemic, according to an Aanchal Foundation survey. Despite this, government efforts remain minimal, with inadequate funding, few professionals, and no nationwide awareness campaigns.
Young people are struggling with career and academic uncertainties, financial stress, and social pressures, especially for women facing forced marriage. Urgent action is needed—greater investment in mental health, awareness initiatives, and support services—to prevent further harm to this vulnerable generation.
A Growing Culture of Repression: Government’s Assault on Rights and Freedom in Bangladesh
Recent incidents in Bangladesh reveal a worrying trend of repression and selective enforcement by the government. From arresting a madrasa student under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for criticizing the Prime Minister, to using lethal force against protesting workers at the Banshkhali power plant, to the targeting of youth over LSD possession, these actions highlight a disregard for freedom, justice, and human rights. The DSA has become a weapon to silence dissent, while violence against workers and selective law enforcement further erode public trust. For Bangladesh to uphold its democratic principles, it must protect its citizens’ rights rather than suppressing them.
Press Freedom Under Pressure: The Alarming State of Media Rights in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, press freedom is under relentless attack, with the government using the Digital Security Act (DSA) as a tool to silence critics and punish dissent. The recent U.S. Department of State report on human rights highlights a troubling reality: journalists, activists, and citizens are routinely targeted for speaking out, particularly on sensitive issues like the government’s handling of COVID-19. The case of photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol, who was forcibly disappeared and detained for months after reporting on a crime syndicate linked to powerful individuals, exemplifies the dangerous climate of repression. As intimidation and self-censorship become the norm, Bangladesh’s democratic values are at risk. It is time for the government to repeal the DSA and ensure that journalists can report freely and without fear—because a nation without a free press cannot truly be free.
The Tragic Death of Mushtaq Ahmed: A Disturbing Reflection of Repression in Bangladesh
Mushtaq Ahmed’s tragic death in a Bangladeshi prison exposes the government’s relentless assault on freedom of expression. Arrested for social media posts critical of COVID-19 measures, Ahmed was held under the draconian Digital Security Act (DSA), denied bail six times, and left to endure squalid prison conditions that many call a form of psychological torture. His “crime” was exercising free speech—a right the DSA has increasingly weaponized against journalists, activists, and everyday citizens. If Bangladesh wishes to honor its legacy of independence, it must end its repression, repeal the DSA, and ensure no one else dies for simply speaking out.
A Tragic Symptom of Political Violence: The Killing of Tarikul Islam in Sirajganj
The brutal killing of Tarikul Islam, a BNP-backed candidate in Sirajganj, shortly after his unofficial election victory, highlights the alarming rise of political violence in Bangladesh. This tragic incident, reportedly involving ruling party activists, exposes a culture of impunity that undermines democracy itself. When opposition figures are violently silenced for daring to participate in the political process, it not only erodes public confidence but also deters future candidates from standing up for their communities.